Motorola Computer Systems Corp has now given details of the VMEexec line of real-time support products for Unix System V systems that it hopes will become an industry standard operating system for VMEbus and Unix applications. The products, first previewed in October 1987 (CI No 802) are claimed to provide enhanced productivity through the maintenance and support of only one operating system and driver, the portability of applications to and from Unix, and easy exchange of input-output devices from different suppliers. Motorola maintains that the line is capable of defining a set of standards for real-time System V applications; it claims widespread, though unnamed, industry support for VMEexec, including several major contracts to be announced at the end of the year. Future influence in the debate over standards will continue through participation in the VME International Trade Association, VITA; however European General Manager Bernd Huber concedes that Motorola cannot afford to wait until a more formal standard arrives, pointing out that the VMEbus itself took five years to become standard. VMEexec replaces the VersaDos operating system, though VersaDos users now can migrate to a real-time environment. The line consists of a 68030-based real-time development system, the VME Delta Model 1147, which has a 20MHz MC68030 processor, 4Mb or 8Mb RAM, an MC68882 floating-point co-processor, 4 MIPS of performance and up to 600Mb of Winchester disk storage; a real-time executive, RTEID; a System V Interface Definition Library to interface Interface Definition-compatible applications and RTEID-compliant kernels; and an MVME143 embedded controller for real-time operation with 32-bit VMEbus Interface with 4Mb of DRAM. VMEexec was developed with Telesoft, Microtec and Software Components Group, which developed the Ada compiler, debuggers and kernels respectively; it will be available in February, 1989, with a start-up kit costing $3,500.
Separately, Motorola Inc has bought Gould Inc’s Gould Center in Urbana, Illinois on undisclosed terms to enhance its Unix expertise. The centre will work on the VME Delta boards and systems.
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